Symbolism In Ishiguro's Life

Ishiguro demonstrates that humans, and in turn clones, seek a greater purpose in their life. While at the Cottages, and throughout her life, Ruth likes to play small games to make her feel superior. Like leading a group of secret guard for a teacher at Hailsham or in this case, pretending to have read the most books. Kathy reflects, “It was, as I say, a little game we all indulged in to some extent. Even so, it was Ruth who took it further than anyone else.” (pg. 123). Ruth seems to think more of it however. Perhaps as a coping mechanism for the insane situation they are in, Kathy observes that Ruth dedicates herself to these games and perhaps sees them as a higher cause. Essentially Ruth’s greater purpose for her life is to try to fit in and

During their Hailsham days, Ruth acquired a unique pencil case from one of the Exchanges. She is later showing it off to her friends in a classroom and when someone asked where she got it she replied vaguely, but implies that a guardian gave it to her. Kathy, for some reason, is very angry at this and is determined to figure out where she actually got it from. They have a small fight, but it is their relationship is soon patched. On reflecting on this time, Kathy thinks, “Didn’t we all dream from time to time about one guardian or other bending the rules and doing something special for us? A spontaneous hug, a secret letter, a gift?” (pg. 60). Here we see the idea of dreaming among the clones. By using this innately human characteristic of wanting more, in both a greedy way and an idealistic way, we see that the clones are human. Another time at Hailsham, Kathy is listening to a tape with the song “Never Let Me Go” by fictional Judy Bridgewater. She can explain the scenario the best, “I just waited for that bit that went: ‘Baby, baby, never let me go…’ And what I’d imagine was a woman who’d been told she couldn’t have babies, who’d really, really wanted them all her life. Then there’s a sort of miracle and she has a baby,” (pg. 70). The point here is that we see the clones having imagination. In most extraterrestrial fiction, creativity sets humans apart. This case is true in real life as well, we are the only species on our planet to shape the world as we do because of our imagination and intellect. This theme of creativity being human is carried out through the book as well, with the purpose of Madame’s gallery and Hailsham of that of humans trying to show that clones are humans to the rest of society. Another instance of this fantasization we see in the Cottages. The whole group is hanging out in a common area and the idea of possibles comes up. Possibles are the possible model a clone is